Electronic project management system

ABSTRACT

A system includes a memory configured to store a first acoustic profile associated with a device. The first acoustic profile includes at least two of the following acoustic characteristics: frequency, amplitude, and time. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and an acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to receive, from the acoustic sensor, an acoustic signal comprising one or more of the frequency and amplitude, compare the received acoustic signal to the first acoustic profile, and determine that the received acoustic signal matches the first acoustic profile based on the comparison of the received acoustic signal to the first acoustic profile.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to project management technology and,more specifically, to a system for acoustic monitoring of a project.

BACKGROUND

Project management is important for example, to maintain productivity,safety, budget, and deadlines. However, project management becomesincreasingly difficult, and expensive, as the number of projectsincreases—particularly when projects are at different remote projectsites. It can become impractical to manage many projects that may be atmany different locations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, disadvantages andproblems associated with project management systems may be reduced oreliminated.

According to an embodiment, a system includes a memory configured tostore a plurality of acoustic profiles associated with one or moreoperations of one or more devices, where the plurality of acousticprofiles include at least two of the following acoustic characteristics:frequency, amplitude, and time. The system further includes a processorcommunicatively coupled to the memory and an acoustic sensor. Theprocessor is configured to: receive, from the acoustic sensor, aplurality of acoustic signals comprising one or more of the frequencyand amplitude, where the acoustic sensor is one from the set comprising:communicatively coupled to a communication device (e.g., a mobilecommunication device) and integrated into a communications device;compare the received acoustic signals to one or more of the acousticprofiles; determine that the one or more of the received acousticsignals match one or more of the acoustic profiles based on thecomparison of the received acoustic signals to the acoustic profiles;monitor a number of the received acoustic signals that are determined tomatch one or more of the acoustic profiles; monitor the progress of aproject based at least in part on the monitored number of acousticsignals that are determined to match one or more of the acousticprofiles; and generate a report of the progress of a project based atleast in part on the monitored number of acoustic signals that aredetermined to match one or more of the acoustic profiles, wherein thegenerated report is accessible from a communications device.

According to another embodiment, a system includes a memory configuredto store a first acoustic profile associated with a device. The firstacoustic profile includes at least two of the following acousticcharacteristics: frequency, amplitude, and time. The system furtherincludes a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and anacoustic sensor. The processor is configured to receive, from theacoustic sensor, an acoustic signal comprising one or more of thefrequency and amplitude, compare the received acoustic signal to thefirst acoustic profile, and determine that the received acoustic signalmatches the first acoustic profile based on the comparison of thereceived acoustic signal to the first acoustic profile.

The teachings of the disclosure provide one or more technical advantagesor improvements. Embodiments of the disclosure may have none, some, orall these advantages or improvements.

One such advantage provided by one or more embodiments disclosed hereinis increasing productivity by providing acoustic monitoring (e.g.,real-time) of project activity and events.

Another such advantage provided by one or more embodiments disclosedherein is optimizing the supply chain by tracking supply usage throughacoustic monitoring.

Yet another such advantage provided by one or more embodiments disclosedherein is facilitating project safety by detecting safety issues throughacoustic monitoring and providing warnings to prevent potentialaccidents.

Further advantages provided by one or more embodiments include acousticmonitoring of employee performance including, for example, speed,safety, or efficiency.

Another advantage provided by one or more embodiments includes usingacoustic monitoring of a project to predict when a project will becompleted based on monitored activity.

Yet another advantage provided by one or more embodiments includes usingacoustic monitoring in project scheduling (e.g., new and/or futureprojects) based on the monitored activity at an existing project.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following figures, detailed description, andexamples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detaileddescription, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to belimiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Infurther embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combinedwith features from other embodiments. For example, features from oneembodiment may be combined with features from any of the otherembodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added tothe specific embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and forfurther features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example acoustic monitoring system for projectmanagement;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example components of an acoustic monitoringsystem, where particular embodiments of the disclosure may beimplemented;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example comparison of an acoustic profile with anacoustic signal; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a table for particular embodiments ofthe disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Project management can be difficult, particularly in situations wherethere are many projects at many different remote project sites. Theseproblems can often occur in the context of construction projects.

For example, a roofing business may have a number of teams of employeesthat perform roof construction and/or repair at a number of differentproject sites. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each team maydeploy components of an acoustic monitoring system at each project site.

The acoustic monitoring system may include a processor, a memory, one ormore acoustic sensors (e.g., microphone), and a communication device(e.g., a mobile communication device such as a smart phone, tablet,laptop computer, etc.). In certain embodiments, the acoustic monitoringsystem may be integrated within the communication device. The acousticmonitoring system may include a communication device communicativelycoupled to one or more peripheral acoustic sensors. In particularembodiments, an acoustic sensor is a parabolic microphone.

The acoustic monitoring system may access acoustic profiles, stored inlocal or remote (e.g., cloud) memory, associated with one or moredevices and/or one or more operations of the one or more devices. In anembodiment, an acoustic profile includes acoustic characteristics suchas frequency, amplitude, or time. A processor of the acoustic monitoringsystem may compare one or more received acoustic signals from anacoustic sensor and compare the one or more received acoustic signals toone or more acoustic profiles to determine whether one or more of thereceived acoustic signal (s) match any acoustic profiles.

Acoustic profiles may be associated with particular devices, forexample, in the case of roofing, a nail gun. Acoustic profiles may alsobe associated with second devices attached to first devices, forexample, in the case of roofing, a muffler attached to a nail gun. Incertain embodiments, a second device attached to a first device (e.g., amuffler attached to a nail gun) may have unique acoustic characteristics(e.g., an increased amplitude at a particular frequency). In particularembodiments, the unique acoustic characteristics of the second devicemay not be detectible by human hearing (e.g., an increased amplitude ata particular frequency, or frequency range, outside the range of humanhearing, such as over 20,000 Hz).

Acoustic profiles may be associated with the operation of a particulardevice. For example, in the context of roofing, the sound of a nail shotfrom a nail gun going through plywood is different from the sound of anail going through a shingle and plywood. Similarly, the sound of a nailgoing through plywood and a roof joist is different from the sound of anail going through plywood and missing a roof joist.

The acoustic monitoring system may monitor progress at a project site bytracking the number of ambient sounds that match particular acousticprofiles. For example, in the context of roofing, a roofing project sitemay be associated with a particular roof square footage, number ofplywood boards, amount of underlayment (e.g., tar paper), amount ofinsulation, number of shingles, and/or other amount of roofing material.The acoustic monitoring system may track progress at a project site, forexample, by monitoring the sound of nails through the different roofinglayers to track what layer is being applied and how much of each layerhas been applied based on the number of nails used (e.g., as determinedby matching ambient sound at the project site to one or more acousticprofiles).

Similarly, the acoustic monitoring system may monitor progress at aproject site based on the type of device (e.g., tool, machine, orvehicle) being used. In an embodiment, different layers of a roof mayinvolve different devices (e.g., nail guns, staplers, etc.). Forexample, a first type of nail gun may be used to affix plywood to roofjoists, a power stapler may be used to affix tar paper and/or othermaterials to the plywood, and a second type of nail gun may be used toaffix shingles. Each of these devices may have a different acousticprofile that can be monitored and used to track the progress of aproject.

In another embodiment, a project involving cement work may be trackedbased on what devices are being used. A jackhammer may indicate that theproject is in an early stage and old concrete is being broken up. A dumptruck (or the sound of debris landing in a dump truck) may indicate thatthe broken old concrete is being moved away. A cement mixer or cementtruck may indicate that new cement is being poured, and a power trowelmay indicate that the project is near completion.

In an embodiment, the acoustic monitoring system may be able to estimatean amount of time before completion of a project based on the monitoredprogress of the project. The acoustic monitoring system may receive, forexample, weather forecast data, supply chain data, employee availability(e.g., scheduling) data, employee performance data, or other metrics touse in combination with the monitored progress of a project to estimatean amount of time to complete the project.

The acoustic monitoring system may generate one or more reports based onthe monitored progress at one or more project sites. Reports may beaccessed through a communication device, for example, through a website(e.g., URL address), application, or other program. The acousticmonitoring system may be configured to generate alerts, for example, ifprogress is behind an estimated schedule. This reporting allows amanager to simultaneously track (e.g., in real time) progress at manyproject sites without having to travel to the project sites, and allowsthe number of projects to scale much faster—or even independently—of thenumber of project managers. This scalability can be particularlyimportant for businesses.

The acoustic monitoring system may also detect and prevent safetyissues. For example, in the context of roofing, it is dangerous if aroofer is attempting to nail a plywood board to a roof joist but missesthe joist with one or more nails because the unsecured plywood boardcould cause a roofer to fall. In an embodiment, the acoustic monitoringsystem may distinguish between the sound of a nail contacting plywoodand a roof joist and the sound of a nail contacting plywood but missingthe roof joist. The acoustic monitoring system may detect one or morenails (e.g., from the same nail gun) missing the roof joist and generatean alarm to notify workers so that an accident can be avoided and theboard can be properly secured.

The acoustic monitoring system may associate particular acousticprofiles with individuals. For example, in the context of roofing, anemployee on a roofing team may be assigned a particular nail gun or aparticular muffler for a nail gun. The acoustic monitoring system maymonitor the performance of individual team members based on acousticprofiles associated with the assigned device. In the context of roofing,for example, monitoring may be based on the number of nails used, theamount of nails contacting joists compared to the amount of nailsmissing joists, or other criteria. This information can be used tocompensate employees such that those with better performance are bettercompensated or to staff projects, such as those with short deadlines,with more competent employees.

The disclosure above relies on roofing to explain exemplary embodimentsof an acoustic monitoring system, however, the present disclosure is notlimited to roofing and is more broadly applicable to the use of acousticmonitoring in project management, particularly of multiple projects atdifferent project sites.

Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are bestunderstood by referring to FIGS. 1-4 , with like numerals being used forlike and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example acoustic monitoring system for projectmanagement. In some embodiments, system 100 includes project sites 102,devices 104, secondary devices 106, acoustic sensors 108, communicationsdevices 110, network 120, server 116, acoustic profile 118, and userinterface 122.

System 100 may be configured to receive acoustic signals from acousticsensors 108. Acoustic sensors 108 may detect ambient sound at projectsites 102, including from devices 104 and/or secondary devices 106attached to devices 104 that are located at project sites 102. Anacoustic signal may comprise one or more of the frequency and amplitudeof sound detected by acoustic sensors 108. Acoustic sensors 108 may becoupled to communications devices 110, including embedded within orperipheral to communication devices 110.

Communication devices 110 may be any type of portable electroniccommunication device, including smart phones, tablets, and laptopcomputers. In certain embodiments, communication devices 110 maycommunicate wirelessly, including using WiFi, cellular (e.g., 4G or 5G),satellite, or any other form of wireless communication.

Communication devices 110 may include processor 112 and memory 114.Processor 112 may include any suitable combination of hardware andsoftware implemented in one or more modules to execute instructions andmanipulate data to perform some or all of the described functionsdisclosed. In some embodiments, processor 112 may include, for example,one or more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), oneor more microprocessors, one or more applications, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other logic.

Memory 114 may comprise one or more non-transitory, tangible,computer-readable, and/or computer-executable storage media. Examples ofmemory 114 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (forexample, a server), and/or any other suitable other computer-readablestorage medium or a combination of these devices. The softwarerepresents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or code embodied ina computer-readable storage medium. For example, the software may beembodied in memory 114, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive. In particularembodiments, the software may include an application executable byprocessor 112 to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

Memory 114 may store acoustic profiles. Processor 112 may comparereceived acoustic signals to stored acoustic profiles in memory 114 todetermine whether received acoustic signals match stored acousticprofiles 118. Acoustic profiles 118 may comprise one or more offrequency, amplitude, and time, and may be associated with a device 104or secondary device 106.

Server 116 may store acoustic profiles 118, either in addition or inalternative to storing acoustic profiles 118 at memory 114 of one ormore communication devices 110. Communication devices 110 may transmitacoustic signals received from acoustic sensors 108 over network 120 toserver 116. At server 116, the received acoustic signal may be comparedto acoustic profile 118 to determine whether received acoustic signalsmatch stored acoustic profiles 118.

Server 116 may receive acoustic monitoring data from communicationdevices 110. In certain embodiments, processor 204 of server 116 mayreceive acoustic signals from communication devices 110 and compare thereceived acoustic signals to acoustic profiles stored in memory 202 todetermine if any received acoustic signals match any stored acousticprofiles. Server 116 may generate reports including monitored data fromcommunication devices 110 at project sites 102. User interface 122 mayreceive from the server, the determination of whether the receivedacoustic signal matches acoustic profile 118 based on the comparison.

In some embodiments, devices 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c, secondary devices106 a, 106 b, and 106 c, acoustic sensors 108 a, 108 b, and 108 c, andcommunications devices 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c may be located at projectsites 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c. Project sites 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c maybe construction sites, manufacturing sites, or any other projectlocation.

System 100 may include devices 104. Devices 104 may comprise any one ofdevices, tools, or equipment found at project sites 102 a, 102 b, and102 c, respectively. Devices 104 may be, according to certainembodiments, construction equipment, manufacturing equipment, or anyappropriate device that creates a detectable sound when used. Forexample, in some embodiments, devices 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c may betools, such as nail guns, jackhammers, saws, concrete mixers, trowelmachines, vehicles (e.g., skid loader, excavator, crane, dump truck,etc.), and/or any other type of device.

In some embodiments, secondary devices 106 a, 106 b, and 106 c may becommunicatively coupled to devices, for example devices 104 a, 104 b,and/or 104 c. Secondary devices 106 a, 106 b, and/or 106 c may createsound in concert with device operation in some embodiments, and/or maybe operable to modify the sound made by devices 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104c, respectively. Secondary devices 106 may emit sounds undetectable byhumans (e.g., over 20,000 Hz) that may be detectable by sensors 108, insome embodiments. According to certain embodiments, secondary devices106 a, 106 b, and 106 c may be mufflers, such as a muffler that may beused on a nail gun. In a particular embodiment, secondary devices 106may be mufflers for nail guns that reduce the sound of the nail gun infrequencies detectable by humans (e.g., 20-20,000 Hz) and generate adistinct characteristic (e.g., an increase in amplitude at a particularfrequency or frequency range) at frequencies undetectable by humans(e.g., over 20,000 Hz).

System 100 may include one or more acoustic sensors, including acousticsensors 108 a-c, collectively acoustic sensors 108. Acoustic sensors 108may be configured to detect sound and generate a signal (e.g., acousticsignal) associated with the detected sound. In some embodiments acousticsensors 108 may be microphones or parabolic microphones. In someembodiments, acoustic sensors 108 a, 108 b, and/or 108 c may becommunicatively coupled (e.g., as a peripheral) to communicationsdevices 110 a, 110 b, and/or 110 c, respectively. In certainembodiments, acoustic sensors 108 a, 108 b, and/or 108 c may beintegrated into communications devices 110 a, 110 b, and/or 110 c,respectively.

In some embodiments, communications devices 110 a-c, collectivelycommunications devices 110, may be any appropriate devices forcommunicating with components of system 100 over network 120 tofacilitate a transmission. For example, communications devices 110 maybe a wireless or cellular telephone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet,and/or an automated assistant. Communications devices 110 a-c may beGPS-enabled, in some embodiments, so that a GPS signal may be used tomark the locations of one or more of communications devices 110 a, 110b, and/or 110 c. Communication devices 110 may be operable to connect tothe Internet and may be able to receive data from server 116 (e.g.,supply chain data, employee schedule data, employee performance data, orother relevant date) or from the Internet (e.g., weather data).According to certain embodiments, an application executed by one or moreof communications devices 110 may perform some of the functionsdescribed herein. Communications devices 110 may connect to network 120.

Network 120 facilitates communication between and amongst the variouscomponents of system 100. This disclosure contemplates network 120 beingany suitable network operable to facilitate communication between thecomponents of system 100. Network 120 may include any interconnectingsystem capable of transmitting audio video signals data, messages, orany combination of the preceding. Network 120 may include all or aportion of a public switched telephone network (PTSN), a public orprivate data network, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a local, regional, or globalcommunication or computer network such as the internet, a wireline, or awireless network, an enterprise internet or any other suitablecommunication link including combinations thereof operable to facilitatecommunication between the components.

Network 120 may be connected to server 116, in some embodiments. Server116 may include one or more computer processors, memory units, andinput/output units. Server 116, in some embodiments, may have one ormore acoustic profile 118 stored in a memory unit. According to certainembodiments, acoustic profile 118 may be associated with one or morepieces of devices 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104 c, an operation of devices104, and/or a device 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104 c associated with anindividual worker. Acoustic profile 118 may comprise at least two of thefollowing acoustic characteristics: frequency, amplitude, and time, insome embodiments. According to particular embodiments, acoustic profile118 may include acoustic characteristics of acoustic sensors 108 a, 108b, and 108 c coupled to devices 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c, respectively.Server 116 and acoustic profile 118 will be explained further below inreference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 . Server 116 may communicate with userinterface 122

System 100 may further include user interface 122, according to someembodiments. User interface 122 may comprise hardware and/or software.In some embodiments, user interface 122 may receive input (e.g., sensorydata or system data), send output (e.g., instructions), process theinput and/or output, and/or perform any other suitable operation.According to certain embodiments, an application executed user interface122 may perform some of the functions described herein. In someembodiments, user interface 122 may output one or more alarms (e.g.,audio, visual, or tactile alarms) in response to alarm signals.According to particular embodiments, user interface may display an alarmsignal in response to a processor determining that one or more acousticsignals match an operation of devices 104. For instance, in someembodiments, an alarm signal may be generated at user interface 122 whena processor of server 116 determines, based on an acoustic signal, thatdevices 104 a, such as a nail gun, has fired but has missed a roof joistunderlying a piece of plywood. An alarm signal and/or alarm may furtheridentify an individual subject to the alarm (e.g., the employee assignedto the nail gun that missed the roof joist). In some embodiments, analarm signal may be generated after a number of consecutive missesexceeds a threshold value. The alarm signal may be generated in such away that it will be detected, for example, by employees and/or asupervisor of the project site 102 where the device operation triggeringthe alarm signal is located and/or by the user of the device itself. Insome embodiments, the alarm signal may be generated on a display of userinterface 122. For instance, the alarm signal may be at least one of anaudible alarm signal emanating from user interface 122, a visualindicator on a display of user interface 122, and/or a tactile alarmsignal. In certain embodiments, the alarm signal may comprise one ormore of a text message, an email, a push alarm signal, and/or a pagingmessage at user interface 122. A visual indicator may include, forexample, at least one of the following: flashing colors, bold, fontchange, animation, flashing numbers, flashing lights, or some otherappropriate type of indicator. The audible alarm signal may include, forexample, without limitation, a tone, a verbal message, or some otherappropriate type of audible alarm signal. A tactile alarm signal can be,for example, without limitation, a command that transmits to userinterface 122 that is configured to cause user interface 122 and/or theinvolved device to vibrate in response to receiving a signal to generatean alarm signal. In particular embodiments, an alarm signal may disablea device 104 associated with the alarm signal, for example, a nail gunthat has missed a roof joist. The alarm signal may include a variety ofinformation and may take a variety of forms, both of which may varydepending on particular implementation. In some embodiments, a reportgenerated by a processor at server 116 may be accessible at userinterface 122. The report may, in some embodiments, display the numberof acoustic signals that are determined to match an operation of one ormore devices 104.

Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular userinterface, this disclosure contemplates any suitable interface. Forexample, user interface 122 may include the user interfaces of mobiledevices (i.e., any suitable portable hardware, including appropriatecontrolling logic and data, capable of communicating with remotedevices) including, but not limited to, mobile telephones, advanced(“smart”) phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless handsets,notebook computer systems, and tablet computer systems. According toparticular embodiments, user interface 122 may include the userinterface wireless devices with advanced user interfaces, such as theAPPLE iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, or devices using Google Android.

In operation, system 100 may be configured to measure, at acousticsensors 108, one or more of the frequency and amplitude of a soundgenerated by devices 104 and/or devices 106. For example, in someembodiments, devices 104 a may be a nail gun that shoots nails intoplywood for a roofing project being conducted at project site 102 a. Inthis example, secondary device 106 a may be a muffler on the nail gunthat emits a sound, which may be detected by acoustic sensor 108 a thatis a peripheral microphone on a cell phone. In some embodiments, theacoustic signal representing the sound of one or more fired nails fromdevices 104 a and/or secondary device 106 a is communicated fromcommunications device 110 a, via network 120, to server 116, where itmay be compared with at least one acoustic profile 118. Receivedacoustic signals may be compared to acoustic profiles for at least: aplurality of types of devices, a plurality of devices of a certain type,and/or a plurality of operations for a device. The operation of thedevice in the acoustic profile may be the sound of a nail gun shooting anail, and may be the sound of a nail gun shooting a nail into aparticular material, in certain embodiments. According to particularembodiments, the operation of the device may be related to a safetyproblem, such as whether a nail gun is firing nails so that they safelyattach a piece of plywood to a roof joist without creating a risk thatthe plywood will slide down the roof. In some embodiments, a processormay determine that the received acoustic signal matches at least oneacoustic profile 118. The processor may also monitor the number ofacoustic signals that match at least one acoustic profile 118. Forexample, in some embodiments, acoustic profile 118 may match with anacoustic signal for a nail gun shooting a nail through a piece ofplywood and into a roof joist. In this manner, system 100 may match oneor more acoustic signals with one or more acoustic profiles and maydetermine whether the fired nails are attaching the piece of plywood tothe roof joist, according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments,system 100 may determine the number of nails that hit and/or do not hitthe roof joist. In response to making a determination of matchingbetween one or more acoustic signals and one or more acoustic profiles,information may be sent to user device 122, in some embodiments.According to certain embodiments, a processor at server 116 may beconfigured to generate an alarm signal in response to determining thatone or more acoustic signals match an operation of a device. Forinstance, an alarm may be generated if a nail fired by a nail gun intoplywood does not hit a roof joist, or if several consecutively firednails do not hit a roof joist. In this manner, a supervisor at userinterface 122 may be alerted to the fact that a piece of plywood may notbe securely attached, in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, amemory is configured to store a user associated with each of devices 104a, 104 b, and 104 c. Secondary devices 106 a, 106 b, and 106 c may emitdistinct acoustic signals, in some embodiments, so that a processor atserver 116 may match the operation of each of devices 104 a, 104 b, and104 c, respectively, with particular individuals. In some embodiments, astage of construction may be determined based on whether an acousticsignal matches an acoustic profile 118 for an operation associated witha certain type of material, such as, for example, roofing plywood orroofing shingles. In this manner, project site progress and/oractivities may be monitored in real time using ambient sound, accordingto certain embodiments. More features of the operation of variousembodiments of system 100 will be further explained below in referenceto FIGS. 2, 3 , and 4.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systemsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Thecomponents may be integrated or separated. While the disclosure abovedescribes a particular embodiment of system 100, one of skill in the artwould appreciate that many changes could be made to the assembly andstill be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,although this disclosure may discuss a roofing embodiment, it iscontemplated that system 100 may be used in connection with otherprojects, including other construction projects. For example, system 100may be used, for example, in connection with other construction projectsincluding building a house (e.g., framing), laying concrete, roadconstruction, steel construction (e.g., commercial buildings), earthmoving, pipe laying, mechanic shops, and in connection withmanufacturing projects including assembly lines. Moreover, theoperations may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Forinstance, although FIG. 1 depicts a single acoustic profile 118, server116 may store any number of acoustic profiles. Moreover, the operationsmay be performed by more, fewer, or other components.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example components of an acoustic monitoringsystem, where particular embodiments of the disclosure may beimplemented. According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure,server 116 of FIG. 1 may be or comprise system 200. System 200 maycomprise memory 202, one or more interfaces 204, one or more processors206, communications device 110, acoustic sensor 108, and user interface122. The components of system 200 may be connected via logicalconnections 214. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates aparticular system 200 having a particular number of particularcomponents in a particular arrangement, this disclosure contemplates thesystem 200 having any suitable number of any suitable components in anysuitable arrangement.

Memory (or memory unit) 202 may store, either permanently ortemporarily, data, operational software, or other information forprocessor 206. As an example, a memory may store one or more acousticprofiles, such as acoustic profile 118 of FIG. 1 , that may beassociated with one or more types of devices, one or more devices of atype, and/or one or more operations for at least one of the types ofdevices or devices. In some embodiments, memory 202 may store a physicalproject site location associated with each of a first device, a seconddevice, and a third device.

Memory 202 may comprise one or more non-transitory, tangible,computer-readable, and/or computer-executable storage media. Examples ofmemory 202 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (forexample, a server), and/or any other suitable other computer-readablestorage medium or a combination of these devices. The softwarerepresents any suitable set of instructions, logic, or code embodied ina computer-readable storage medium. For example, the software may beembodied in memory 202, a disk, a CD, or a flash drive. In particularembodiments, the software may include an application executable byprocessor 206 to perform one or more of the functions described herein.

Interface 204 represents any suitable device operable to receiveinformation from network 120, transmit information through network 120,communicate with other devices, or any combination of the preceding.Interface 204 may represent any port or connection, real or virtual,including any suitable hardware and/or software, including protocolconversion and data processing capabilities, to communicate through aLAN, WAN, or other communication system that allows processor 206 toexchange information with communications devices 110, network 120, orother components of system 100. Interface 204 receives input (e.g.,sensor data or system data), sends output (e.g., instructions),processes the input and/or output, and/or performs other suitableoperation. In certain embodiments, interface 204 may be communicativelycoupled via, for example, logical connections 214 b and 214 c, to aprocessor, for example processor 206, and one or more communicationsdevices 110 that may be located at the one or more project sites 102 ofFIG. 1 .

Interface 204 may receive an acoustic signal associated with a device104 of FIG. 1 , in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, interface204 may receive weather forecast data, supply chain data, employeeschedule data, employee performance data, and/or any other type of datathat processor 206 may use to estimate time of project completion.According to particular embodiments, interface 204 may receive adetermination that the received acoustic signal matches an acousticprofile based on the comparison of the received acoustic signal to theacoustic profile from processor 206 and may send the data to userinterface 122 for display. Interface 204 may send an alarm to userinterface 122, according to certain embodiments. In some embodiments,interface 204 may be configured to transmit an alarm and/or a killsignal (e.g., a signal to stop operation) to the one or more devices,for example devices 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104 c of FIG. 1 . Interface 204may include one or more interfaces 204, where appropriate. Although thisdisclosure describes and illustrates a particular interface, thisdisclosure contemplates any suitable interface.

In some embodiments, processor 206 may be communicatively coupled, via,for example, logical connection 214, to one or more components of system200, including memory 202 and interface 204. Processor 206 may includeany suitable combination of hardware and software implemented in one ormore modules to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform someor all of the described functions disclosed. In some embodiments,processor 206 may include, for example, one or more computers, one ormore central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, oneor more applications, one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),and/or other logic.

As an example, processor 206 may be configured to: receive, from acommunications device with an acoustic sensor, for examplecommunications device 110 with acoustic sensor 108, an acoustic signalcomprising one or more of frequency and amplitude of detected sound;compare the received acoustic signal to one or more acoustic profilesstored in memory 202, such as acoustic profile 118 of FIG. 1 ; determinethat the received acoustic signal matches an acoustic profile based onthe comparison to one or more of the acoustic profiles; and generate asignal that may, in some embodiments, be displayed on user interface122. In some embodiments, processor 206 may be further configured toreceive one or more acoustic signals and monitor the number of acousticsignals that are determined to match at least one of the acousticprofiles from at least: a plurality of devices, such as devices 104,and/or a plurality of operations for at least one of the plurality ofdevices, such as devices 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104 c. Processor 206 mayalso, in some embodiments, monitor the progress of a constructionproject and/or estimate an amount of time to complete a constructionproject based at least in part on the monitored number of acousticsignals that are determined to match an operation of a device, forexample device 104 a on project site 102 a. Processor 206 may, in someembodiments, generate a kill signal instructing one or more devices,such as devices 104 a, 104 b, and/or 104 c, to turn off. According toparticular embodiments, processor 206 may generate an alarm signaland/or a kill signal in response to determining one or more acousticsignals match an operation of a device 104. An alarm signal and/or akill signal may be generated, in some embodiments, in response to adetermination by processor 206 that the number of received signals thatmatch an acoustic profile is above a threshold. In some embodiments,processor 206 may generate a report of the number of acoustic signalsthat are determined to match an operation of one or more devices. Thereport may be generated by the processor in real time, according toparticular embodiments. In certain embodiments, the processor mayassociate the monitored number of acoustic signals that are determinedto match an operation of one or more devices with one or moreindividuals. Processor 206 may receive weather forecast data, supplychain data, employee schedule data, employee performance data, and/orany other type of data useful to estimate time of project completion anddetermine an estimation of the amount of time to complete theconstruction project based at least in part on some or all of the data,according to some embodiments. As still another example, processor 206estimate an amount of inventory consumed based at least in part on thedetermination that the received acoustic signal matches an acousticprofile based on the comparison of the received acoustic signal and anacoustic profile which may be associated with an operation of one ormore devices.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systemsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, system 200 may include any number of processors 206, memoryunits 202, and/or interfaces 204. The components may be integrated orseparated. Moreover, the operations may be performed by more, fewer, orother components. System 200 may be located on a single server or may bedistributed over a plurality of computer systems and networks.

FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison of acoustic profile 302 with acousticsignal 310. According to certain embodiments, acoustic profile maycomprise one or more of the following acoustic characteristics:frequency, amplitude, and time. In some embodiments, acoustic profile302 may be a function of amplitude 304 of a particular frequency, orfrequency range, over time 306.

According to particular embodiments, acoustic profile 302 includesacoustic characteristics of a device, such as devices 104 a, 104 b,and/or 104 c, and/or secondary devices 106 a, 106 b, and/or 106 c,respectively. Acoustic profile 302 may include acoustic characteristicsof a particular operation of a device 104 and/or secondary device 106.For example, in the context of roofing, system 100 may include acousticprofiles for different nail guns, different mufflers, nails contactingplywood but not roof joists, nails contacting plywood and a roof joist,nails contacting shingles, or other operation of a device 104 and/orsecondary device 106. In certain embodiments, acoustic profile 302include tolerances, or buffers (illustrated in the example of FIG. 3 bythe gray area 308).

FIG. 3 also includes acoustic signal 310. Acoustic signal 310 mayrepresent the output of an acoustic sensor 108 detecting ambient sounds.In certain embodiments, acoustic signal 310 may represent one or moreacoustic filters and/or amplifiers applied to ambient sound detected byan acoustic sensor 108. Ambient sounds may include sounds generated bydevices 104 and/or secondary devices 106 operating at a project sitesuch as project site 102 of FIG. 1 .

As discussed above, an acoustic sensor, for example acoustic sensor 108of FIG. 1 , may detect ambient sound and generate acoustic signal 310. Aprocessor, for example processor 112 of FIG. 1 or processor 206 of FIG.2 , may receive acoustic signal 310 from acoustic sensor 108. Accordingto certain embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor 112 or 206) mayalso be communicatively coupled to a memory, such as memory 114 of FIG.1 or memory 202 of FIG. 2 , may compare acoustic signal 310 to acousticprofile 302, and may determine that acoustic signal 310 matches acousticprofile 302.

For example, in particular embodiments, the processor may determine thatan acoustic signal falls within area 308, which may form an upper andlower bound around acoustic profile 302, thus indicating a match. Insome embodiments, a processor may determine that an acoustic signalfalls outside area 308, as illustrated with respect to acoustic signal312, thus indicating no match.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systemsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, a memory may be configured to store more than one acousticprofile associated with an operation of a device.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example table 400 for particular embodiments ofthe disclosure, which includes exemplary data that may be generated aspart of a report. Table 400 may, in some embodiments, facilitateindividual-level tracking and/or project-site tracking and reporting toa project-site supervisor. According to some embodiments, a processor(e.g., processor 112 or 206) may monitor the progress of a constructionproject at one or more project sites and/or the activities of individualworkers and/or work crews, based at least in part on the number ofacoustic signals that are determined to match an acoustic profileassociated with an operation of a device, such as nails fired from anail gun. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the processor maygenerate a report in real time or near real time (collectively referredto as “real time”). The report may be stored and may be accessed byremote devices, such as user interface 122 of FIG. 1 , in someembodiments.

Table 400, as illustrated, includes crew column 402, worker column 404,tool column 406, project site address column 408, estimated nails forproject column 410, nails fired column 412, nails missed column 414,stage of project column 416, estimated days to finish column 418, anddeadline column 420. Columns 402 to 420 may, in some embodiments,represent the data that may be stored. Column 402 may represent, with anidentifier (e.g., a numerical identifier as illustrated, an alphabeticalidentifier, or any other identifier), the crew that is working on agiven project site, in some embodiments. Column 404 may represent,according to some embodiments, the worker to whom a device may beassigned. Column 406 may represent with an identifier (e.g., analphabetical identifier as illustrated, a numerical identifier, or anyother identifier), the tool that a given worker is using for a certaintime period (e.g., a day, the duration of a project, or any other timeperiod). Column 408 may represent the location of the project site, suchas an address, in certain embodiments. Column 410 may represent theestimated number of nails that may be used during a given project, insome embodiments. This estimation may be calculated based on the squarefootage of the roof and the estimated number of nails per square foot,in some embodiments, and/or the square footage of the roof and theestimated number of nails used per roofing component (e.g., per shingle,per piece of plywood, and/or per length of tar paper). According tocertain embodiments, column 412 may represent an amount of inventoryconsumed, for example the number of nails fired as illustrated, during agiven time period (e.g., from the beginning of the project to thecurrent time). This determination may be based at least in part on adetermination by a processor that the received acoustic signal matchesan acoustic profile for an operation of a device, based on thecomparison of the received acoustic signal to the second acousticprofile. Column 414 may represent, in some embodiments, the number ofnails fired that miss an intended target (e.g., a roof joist). In someembodiments, this data may be related to safety features, such as alarmsor device kill switches when the number of nails missed exceeds athreshold value, to notify workers and/or supervisors that a piece ofplywood may not be securely attached to the roof joists so that actionscan be taken to prevent the plywood from sliding down the roof andinjuring people. Column 416 may represent the stage of the project, insome embodiments. According to certain embodiments, a processor mayestimate the stage of the job by determining that the received acousticsignal matches an acoustic profile for an operation of a device througha certain material (e.g., tar paper, shingles, and/or plywood), based onthe comparison of the received acoustic signal to the second acousticprofile. Column 418 may represent, in some embodiments, an estimation ofthe amount of time to complete a project. In certain embodiments, theestimated completion period may be calculated based, at least in part,on the monitored number of acoustic signals that are determined to matchthe operation of a device (e.g., firing a nail gun), the square footageof the roof at the project site, and the estimated number of nails forthe project. An estimation of completion, in some embodiments, may alsobe determined based on a set of data including, at least: weatherforecast data, supply chain data, worker schedule data, and workerperformance data. The time period displayed may be one of days, asillustrated, hours, or any other time period during which measurementsmay be collected at the project site. Column 420 may represent, in someembodiments, the deadline by which the project should be completed. Thismay be based on an estimation of completion time at the beginning of theproject, in some embodiments.

With respect to some embodiments, a processor may be configured toassociate the monitored number of acoustic signals that are determinedto match an operation of a device, such as the nails fired from a nailgun in certain embodiments, with an individual. As illustrated, the rowsof table 400 may be identified according to individual workers, forexample Andrew in row 422, Chase in row 424, Paul in row 426, and Seanin row 428, in some embodiments.

Rows 422 and 424 show an example of information relating to a projectoccurring at a project site, such as a roofing project occurring at theaddress 1234 Westway as illustrated. In the illustrated example, work atthe project site is being performed by two workers in crew 1: Andrew inrow 422 and Chase in row 424. Of the 6200 estimated nails for theproject, Andrew has 70 nails missed out of 2580 nails fired from nailgun A, and Chase has 61 nails missed out of 2240 nails fired from nailgun B. Furthermore, the example report in table 400 shows that theproject is at the shingles stage, the project is estimated to finish inone day, and the deadline for project completion is in two days. In thisexample, supervisors or users of a user interface on which table 400 maybe displayed may see, with data provided in real-time, that the twoworkers have comparable capabilities, that the job has progressed to astage of near completion, and that the project is estimated to becompleted one day before the deadline. The use of deadline data andestimated completion date can show that a project is ahead of or behindschedule, and a supervisor may use this data to forecast theavailability of project crews and decide if additional projects may beaccepted. For instance, because the tracked data in table 400 shows thatthe project in this example is ahead of schedule, the supervisor in thisexample would know and could take advantage of the fact that crew 1(Andrew and Chase) would be available to begin another project one dayearlier than originally anticipated.

Rows 426 and 428 show an example of information relating to a projectoccurring at a project site, such as a roofing project occurring at theaddress 4321 Ross as illustrated. In the illustrated example, work atthe project site is being performed by two workers in crew 2: Paul inrow 426 and Sean in row 428. Of the 8600 estimated nails for theproject, Paul has 42 nails missed out of 1654 nails fired from nail gunC, and Sean has 85 nails missed out of 900 nails fired from nail gun D.Furthermore, the example report in table 400 shows that the project isat the plywood stage, the project is estimated to finish in two days,and the deadline for project completion is in one day. In this example,supervisors or users of a user interface on which table 400 may bedisplayed may see, with data provided in real-time, that Paul is muchmore productive than Sean both in terms of number of nails fired and inhit percentage, that the job is still in the beginning stage of plywoodinstallation rather than shingle installation, and that the project isestimated to be completed one day after the deadline. Because thetracked data in table 400 shows that the project for rows 426 and 428may be behind schedule, the supervisor may know to assign additionalstaffing to the project site to complete the project by the deadline.Table 400, in some embodiments, may allow a supervisor or other user totrack the activities of individual workers and/or work crews and comparethe performance of particular workers. For instance, the example table400 may be used to identify effective and/or ineffective workers byshowing that Paul has a higher number of hits in comparison to nailsfired than Sean.

In some embodiments, alerts may be generated and/or areas of table 400may be emphasized. According to certain embodiments, alerts may begenerated at a user interface if a project is estimated to finish afterthe deadline, as with the example in rows 426 and 428 of table 400. Incertain embodiments, a processor (e.g., processor 112 or 206) maydetermine that the number of hits or misses in comparison to nails firedfor one or more workers is above or below a threshold. In someembodiments, the determination may occur as a series of multiple valuecomparisons over a predetermined period of time. In certain embodiments,the determination may be a single value comparison. The threshold valuemay be a default setpoint or may be input and/or updated by a thirdparty (e.g., manufacturer, user, or maintenance group). In someembodiments, if the processor determines that the number of hits incomparison to nails fired is below the threshold, an alert may bedisplayed at a user interface and, in certain embodiments, a supervisoror user viewing table 400 may choose to send an alarm and/or a killsignal to the device associated with that individual.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systemsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Thecomponents may be integrated or separated. While the disclosure abovedescribes a particular embodiment of system 100, one of skill in the artwould appreciate that many changes could be made to the assembly andstill be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example,although this disclosure may discuss a roofing embodiment, it iscontemplated that the disclosed system may be used in other fields ofconstruction and manufacturing. This table may be reconfigured toclosely match the business of an operator or a type of construction job.For instance, although table 400 depicts the number of nails fired as anoperation of a device, reports may be generated for other operationsand/or other devices. Furthermore, although table 400 illustrates valuesfor nails fired and missed, this disclosure contemplates that table 400may display any information collected at a server (e.g., server 116) ordetermined by one or more processors (e.g., processors 112 or 206). Insome embodiments, table 400 may be displayed on user interface 122 ofFIG. 1 . Moreover, table 400 may depict more, fewer, or other elements.

Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicatedotherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B”means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicatedotherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unlessexpressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,”unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions,variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodimentsdescribed or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill inthe art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited tothe example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover,although this disclosure describes and illustrates respectiveembodiments herein as including particular components, elements,functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may includeany combination or permutation of any of the components, elements,functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere hereinthat a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend.Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or systemor a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to,capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative toperform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system,component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated,turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or componentis so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, oroperative.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a memory configured tostore a plurality of acoustic profiles associated with one or moreoperations of one or more first devices, wherein the one or more firstdevices are nail guns and wherein the one or more operations include atleast shooting a nail, the plurality of acoustic profiles comprising atleast two of the following acoustic characteristics: frequency,amplitude, and time; one or more second devices attached to the one ormore first devices, wherein each of the one or more second devicesmodify the one or more first devices to have an identifiable acousticcharacteristic when operated and wherein the identifiable acousticcharacteristic is associated with an individual operator; and one ormore processors, at least one communicatively coupled to the memory andat least one communicatively coupled to an acoustic sensor, configuredto: receive, from the acoustic sensor, a plurality of acoustic signalscomprising one or more of the frequency and amplitude, wherein theacoustic sensor is one from the set comprising: communicatively coupledto a mobile communications device and integrated into a mobilecommunications device; compare the received acoustic signals to one ormore of the acoustic profiles; determine that the one or more of thereceived acoustic signals match one or more of the acoustic profilesbased on the comparison of the received acoustic signals to the acousticprofiles; monitor a number of the received acoustic signals that aredetermined to match one or more of the acoustic profiles; monitor theprogress of a roofing project based at least in part on the monitorednumber of acoustic signals that are determined to match one or more ofthe acoustic profiles; and generate a progress report of the progress ofthe roofing project based at least in part on the monitored number ofacoustic signals that are determined to match one or more of theacoustic profiles, wherein the generated progress report is accessiblefrom a mobile communications device; and generate a performance reportof the performance of an individual operator based at least in part onthe monitored number of acoustic signals that are determined to matchone or more of the acoustic profiles associated with the individualoperator, wherein the generated performance report is accessible from amobile communications device.
 2. A system comprising: a memoryconfigured to store a first acoustic profile associated with a firstdevice, wherein the first device is a nail gun, the first acousticprofile comprising at least two of the following acousticcharacteristics: frequency, amplitude, and time, wherein the firstacoustic profile is associated with an operation of the first device; asecond device attached to the first device, wherein the second devicemodifies the first device to have an identifiable acousticcharacteristic when operated, wherein the identifiable acousticcharacteristic is associated with an individual operator; and one ormore processors, at least one communicatively coupled to the memory andat least one communicatively coupled to an acoustic sensor, configuredto: receive, from the acoustic sensor, an acoustic signal comprising oneor more of the frequency and amplitude; compare the received acousticsignal to the first acoustic profile; determine that the receivedacoustic signal matches the first acoustic profile based on thecomparison of the received acoustic signal to the first acousticprofile; generate a progress report of the progress of a roofing projectbased at least in part on the received acoustic signal that isdetermined to match the first acoustic profile, wherein the generatedprogress report includes an indication of an amount of time to completethe roofing project, and wherein the generated progress report isaccessible from a mobile communications device; and generate aperformance report of the performance of an individual operator based atleast in part on the received acoustic signal that is determined tomatch the first acoustic profile associated with the individualoperator, wherein the generated performance report is accessible from amobile communications device.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein: thememory is further configured to store a second acoustic profileassociated with a first operation of the first device, the secondacoustic profile comprising at least two of the following acousticcharacteristics: frequency, amplitude, and time; the one or moreprocessors further configured to: compare the received acoustic signalto the second acoustic profile; and determine that the received acousticsignal matches the second acoustic profile based on the comparison ofthe received acoustic signal to the second acoustic profile.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein: the one or more processors furtherconfigured to: receive a plurality of acoustic signals; and monitor anumber of acoustic signals that are determined to match the firstoperation of the first device.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the oneor more processors are further configured to monitor the progress of theroofing project based at least in part on the monitored number ofacoustic signals that are determined to match the first operation of thefirst device.
 6. The system of claim 5, where the one or more processorsare further configured to estimate an amount of time to complete theroofing project based at least in part on the monitored number ofacoustic signals that are determined to match the first operation of thefirst device.
 7. The system of claim 3, where the second acousticprofile is the first acoustic profile.
 8. The system of claim 3, whereinthe first operation of the first device is shooting a nail from the nailgun through a first set of materials, wherein the first set of materialsincludes one or more layers of roofing material.
 9. The system of claim3, wherein the first operation of the first device is associated with asafety problem.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to generate an alarm signal inresponse to determining that the received acoustic signal matches thefirst operation of the first device.
 11. The system of claim 4, wherein:the memory is further configured to store acoustic profiles for at leastone from the set comprising: a plurality of devices and a plurality ofoperations for at least one of the plurality of devices; the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: compare the received acousticsignals to at least one of the acoustic profiles from at least one fromthe set comprising: a plurality of devices and a plurality of operationsfor at least one of the plurality of devices; determine that thereceived acoustic signals match at least one of the acoustic profilesfrom at least one from the set comprising: a plurality of devices and aplurality of operations for at least one of the plurality of devices;and monitor a number of acoustic signals that are determined to match atleast one of the acoustic profiles from at least one from the setcomprising: a plurality of devices and a plurality of operations for atleast one of the plurality of devices.
 12. The system of claim 4,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generate amatching report of the number of acoustic signals that are determined tomatch the first operation of the first device.
 13. The system of claim12, wherein the matching report is stored and operable to be accessed bya mobile communication device.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein theone or more processors are configured to generate the matching report inreal time with the determination that the received acoustic signalmatches the second acoustic profile based on the comparison of thereceived acoustic signal to the second acoustic profile.
 15. The systemof claim 2, wherein the acoustic sensor is one from the set comprising:communicatively coupled to a mobile communications device and integratedinto a mobile communications device.
 16. The system of claim 4, whereinthe one or more processors are further configured to associate themonitored number of acoustic signals that are determined to match thefirst operation of the first device with an individual operator.
 17. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the second device is associated with anindividual operator.
 18. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: receive one or more from the setcomprising: weather forecast data, supply chain data, employee scheduledata, and employee performance data; and estimate the amount of time tocomplete the roofing project based at least in part on at least one fromthe set comprising: weather forecast data, supply chain data, employeeschedule data, and employee performance data.
 19. The system of claim 4,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to estimate anamount of inventory consumed based at least in part on the determinationthat the received acoustic signal matches the second acoustic profilebased on the comparison of the received acoustic signal to the secondacoustic profile.